I'll Be the One
Ratings34
Average rating4
I actually finished this two days ago, but was so involved in my game that I forgot to update this, so bear with me as I try to remember what I wanted to say.
I liked the first 40-50 percent of the book a lot - like I was agreeing with all those four star reviews, but the second half of the book really let me down. It started with the manufactured drama between Skye and Henry (and I'm going to say that it was definitely manufactured because Skye is usually grounded and Henry is really a sweetheart and the only way drama could be found if it was manufactured because, by nature, neither of these are dramatic characters).
Also, coincidentally or not, that was also about the time that the audiobook narration really started to grate in regards to certain characters. (Mostly Skye's two school friends who, from then on, couldn't seem to speak at anything lower than a shout. More than once I found myself wincing at their volume.)
I did (mostly) like Skye and Henry and, even though I wasn't a supporter of their relationship at the beginning, I was at least somewhat by the end. I also liked the message that was being sent. (Even if it felt somewhat truncated and had a somewhat vague and open-feeling slice of life ending.)
I also want to give mad props for a bisexual lead and a bisexual love interest. Not only do I personally appreciate it (especially Skye's admittance that the chances of her ever dating a girl is slim because of family, something I can personally relate to) but it also adds a nice bonding moment for them.
(Side note: Skye's dad is awesome!)
Finally, there were a couple of moments that did not make any sense - both dealing with Henry's ex, Melinda. (That was her name, right?)
First, Skye states early on that if she tries out for both singing and dancing, and fails to get in either one, she will be rejected from both. Melinda later states that she tried to get into the dancing portion and failed, yet she was somehow accepted in the singing part. I have questions.
Then, there was a moment where singers go head-to-head against another singer. One of the pair-ups had enough advance notice of who their partner would be to choose a song (the same song? I don't remember) by the same singer as their opponent. Skye was paired against Melinda, a fact that she apparently didn't know until the moment they were called on stage together. I have even more questions.
All in all, for a book that usually isn't my type, I did enjoy it - but not as much as I thought I would upon first starting it, and I can't help but wish things were just a little tighter plotted.
(3.5, rounding up.) Cute, but I wanted a little more growth/development from the main characters - Skye is a great lead but seemed weirdly naive about how Instagram/reality show celebrity would work, both for Henry and herself. The villains were very one-note as well, and I wish there'd been a bit more development for them, especially the mean judge.
(2021 Summer Romance Bingo: reality TV, would also work for friends to lovers)
This is a really cute book. Like yes, the plot is a bit silly and wish-fulfillment-y and a few things are way too easily resolved but overall the book is so positive and charming that I didn't care. The main character and her friends were great, and I just overall had fun reading this.
Skye was such an amazing character. I really enjoyed the K-Pop competition TV show, the body positive messages, the friendships and the cute romance.
Loved it!
Cute, light uplifting read. It didn't wow me, but I really appreciated having a plus size main character, who is confident, hard working and willing to stand up for herself. Super refreshing! No teenage angst here, just a positive message, whether you're a teenager or not, to love yourself no matter what and not to let anything stop you from following your dreams. Light on romance, but chock full of inspiration.
This was a fun body-positive romance. It didn't rock my world, but I enjoyed it! Besides Skye's relationship with her mother every other relationship was only surface deep and sometimes the writing seemed a little simplistic. But I liked how Lee wrote in a way that talked about Korean and Asian things as if everyone knows. Some things she quickly explained, but it wasn't an in-depth description. I also thought it was very realistic that Skye was very comfortable with her weight, but also had moments of doubt and self-consciousness. She wasn't so confidant that she wasn't human. I'm also glad the book didn't start with her down on herself and “learning to love herself”. She did that work and now she's living her best life. I think if I were in my teens this book would have really made an impression so I'm glad that it's out here.
Alright this one really caught me off guard. I picked it up for a light read and I got hit with some major feels. Skye is such a wonderful character. She proves to young women that their own self esteem is more important than whatever your culture so insistently dictates it should be. More than that, she doesn't gloss over the painful moments that come along with being shamed and targeted, regardless of how great you feel about yourself on any given day, or what you've accomplished. It is such a complex balance, especially for young women. This really spoke to me as someone who has had issues with body image for most of my life, many of which stem from my mother. In other news!! Great rep of diverse and queer characters who are not all boxed up to serve a purpose. Also, I was really into the storyline regardless of knowing virtually nothing about Kpop and having virtually no interest in talent shows. Worth a read.
This was a really sweet, fluffy teen romcom. I'm not very familiar with K-pop but I still enjoyed the book; I suspect the many many readers who ARE fans of K-pop will enjoy this even more. I love Skye as a fat-positive main character, and I love that she specifically responds to the power of media representation–that as a bi Asian-American woman she's super stoked to see an Asian WLW couple because it's rare and makes her feel seen. In that vein, this book will make a lot of characters feel seen.
There is some definite anti-fatness in here, primarily from the main character's mother (who slowly starts to accept her daughter but not fully, at least not by the end of the book) and one of the judges on the reality TV show. But overall it's very positive and fun.